USS PAMPANITO - MANEUVERING ROOM

The maneuvering room is where all of Pampanito's changes
in speed were made in response to orders from the conning tower, bridge,
or control room.

Pampanito's engines do not drive the
propellers directly; instead, they turn electric generators attached to
each engine. Power from these generators was switched to charge the main
storage batteries, or to supply the electric propulsion motors. Switching was done
with the levers of the propulsion control stand and the cubicle behind it.
Because diesel
engines require large amounts of air to operate, they are used only while
on the surface. U.S. submarines were not equipped with snorkels during
World War II. When submerged, power was drawn from the main batteries which supply the same electric motors that the generators supply when the
ship is surfaced.

Pampanito's electric motors and reduction gears developed a total
of 5,400 shaft horsepower, and her maximum designed surface speed is 21
knots, or about 24 miles per hour. Submerged, she could travel at a maximum of
about 9 knots. However this would drain the battery in a very short time, about 30 minutes. This was called the half-hour rate, which meant you would go from
a fully charged battery to a fully discharged condition in one one-half hour. At slower
speeds she could go farther. The maximum submerged range was about 100 miles at
3 knots. This was called the 48 hour rate, during which every non-essential piece of equipment was secured - or "turned off." In practice most dives were very short and any dive over 16-18 hours dangerous. The longest successful dive of WW II was 38 hours.

On the surface, you might typically find two main engines providing power to the motors, two main engines charging batteries and the auxiliary engine providing power for everything else on the boat. However, the system was very flexible and allowed many combinations of power source and load.

Other Features in this Compartment:

Motor order telegraphs (port and starboard). Show the speed and direction ordered on each propeller shaft.

Engine governor control (central panel). Allows remote control of the speed on each of the main engines.

Shaft revolution indicator (port & starboard). These show the speed each shaft is turning.

Ground detector (starboard). The damp environment in a submarine can lead to damage or leakage of electrical energy through its protective insulation. This meter was used to detect electrical leakage or short circuits.

Dummy log transmitter (starboard). In case the real log (speed through the water sensor) located in the forward torpedo room failed, this device could be used to provide an estimated speed to the equipment that depended on knowing the ships speed for navigation or fire control.

Aft Auxiliary Switchboard: Located on the port side along the passageway as you move forward. This supplies 250 VDC to the many auxiliary motors in the aft half of the submarine. The auxiliary motors operate compressors, pumps, heaters, blowers and other high power equipment. The switchboard is supplied by the aft battery, auxiliary engine, or through a bus tie from the forward battery.

Ship's Lathe: Located aft on the starboard side next to the propulsion
control stand.

Air Induction Valve: The maneuvering room air induction valve
receives air from the after engine room supply line, through the
main induction valve topside. It provides air needed to cool the compartment.